Indian wins opener at 21st Super Kung Sheung Cup

The 21st Super Kung Sheung Cup International Basketball Invitation Championship is being held in Hong Kong at the Queen Elizabeth stadium between 13th to 18th

India has beaten the National Team of Hong Kong, Winling 86-78 in the opener and will face Thailand for a guaranteed spot in the semis.

Hong Kong, 14th December 2016: Late last evening, the Indian senior men’s basketball team opened with a win at the 21st Super Kung Sheung Cup International Basketball Invitation Championship that is underway in Hong Kong.

The side beat the National Team of Hong Kong, Winling, 86-78, and is now one step away from a guaranteed spot in the semifinals. The side will next face the National team of Thailand on 15th December, in its second and final preliminary Group 3 league match.

A strong fourth quarter led by centre Aravind Annadurai’s 18 points, allowed India to overcome the stiff challenge posed by Hong Kong, Winling. If India was hoping to gradually build a lead after a 12-10 opening period, that wasn’t the case, as the hosts came storming back in the second quarter to take a 37-34 halftime lead.

In the first three frames, India relied on the dominance of its ‘Big Two’ of shooting guard Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and centre Amritpal Singh, before Aravind took over in the fourth. For Hong Kong, Kepkay Alexander, Hosford Daniel and Lau Kin scored in double digits.

Squad

The 12 member roster was finalized during the National Coaching Camp at National Basketball Academy in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

During the Indore camp, former Australian National Women’s team assistant coach Mr Damian Cotter paid a visit, conducting special training sessions. His visit was coordinated with the assistance of Bengaluru based sports management company Pursuit India Sports & Entertainment Private Limited.

“Ours is a settled line up and we have been performing well against top Asian sides in the last few years. We are hopeful of winning both our league matches and progressing to the semifinals,” said Head Coach S Bhaskar.

About the Super Kung Sheung Cup International Championship

The 21st edition of the Super Kung Sheung Cup will be played at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Hong Kong.

Participants

National Team of India

National Team of Malaysia

National Team of Singapore

National Team of Thailand

Southern California Fukienese Association Basketball Team (USA)

Guangxi Wei Zhuang Basketball Club, China

National Team of Hong Kong, SCAA

National Team of Hong Kong, Eastern Long Lions

National Team of Hong Kong, Winling

Format

The 9 participating teams will be split into three groups (A, B & C). The initial stage will be played in the typical round robin fashion. The best team in each group and the 2nd best team among the remaining teams will qualify for the semi-finals.

Groupings

Group 1: National Team of Malaysia, Guangxi Wei Zhuang Basketball Club (China), National Team of Hong Kong (Eastern Long Lions)

Group 2: National Team of Hong Kong (SCAA), National Team of Singapore, Southern California Fukienese Association Basketball Team (USA)

Group 3: National Team of Thailand, National Team of India, National Team of Hong Kong (Winling)

Immediate history

India’s History at the Championship

India last participated in the 17th iteration of the Championship in 2010 and reached the semifinals, before eventually finishing fourth, behind SC Fukienese Association, Philippines and Hong Kong.

India’s League Round Schedule (Tentative times given in IST)

15th December: vs National Team of Thailand @ 1:30 PM

About Basketball Federation of India

The Basketball Federation of India or BFI is the governing and controlling body of basketball in India, and is responsible for the development and promotion of the sport at all levels. BFI has been involved in conducting camps, clinics, events, and training sessions at its academies for the development of basketball. BFI came into being in 1935 and took complete control over Indian basketball in 1950. Prior to that time, the Indian Olympic Association handled the conduct of Indian basketball championships. Since 1950, the BFI has been conducting various such championships, from the grassroots to senior team participation in international tournaments. In addition, the BFI has been responsible for the establishment of strong sub-junior and junior level programs. The BFI has to its credit produced several international players of repute, among them 17 have been bestowed with the honour of Arjuna Awards. Earlier in June 2015, 19-year-old Satnam Singh Bhamara made history by becoming the first Indian national to be drafted by an NBA team, when he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks.